This is our class page and here you will find all the information needed to help support your child’s learning. You will also find what we will be covering in each topics, along with some photographs of what the children have been up to at school.
I have outlined some key information about the academic year of 2023/2024 below.
Reception Class staff:
Reception is extremely lucky to have support from Mrs Loake and Miss Smith, along with myself, Miss Poxon. Mrs Loake will be supporting us in Reception on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Miss Smith will be supporting us on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Both Mrs Loake and Miss Smith have amazing knowledge of and experience in the EYFS.
Uniform/Clothing:
Please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform to school by following our uniform policy as detailed on our website:
If your child has long hair, please ensure it is tied back and that any bows are of small size and blue or black in colour.
We are limited on spare clothes that we keep within school so please send spare underwear and a spare set of clothes in with your child just in case they may need to change. These clothes can be kept at school in your child’s locker and can stay here till the end of the term. Bookbags can be used each day for reading books and any letters that may be sent home. If your child does happen to borrow any clothes from school, please return them washed so we can keep a stock for emergencies.
Please also provide your child with a coat or jacket even if the weather seems fine in the morning, as this can change throughout the day and we like to make use of our outdoor area as much as possible, rain or shine. On hot days (which we appreciate is rare), please send in sun cream and a sun hat.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO LABEL ALL ITEMS!
PE:
In Reception, we will be having PE on ___ and Wednesdays. Your child will need to come to school in their PE kit on these days. Please ensure that they are dressed appropriately as briefed on the website and in your welcome pack, as their PE kit will be classed as their school uniform on these days. PE kit should be black/blue shorts, leggings or jogging bottoms and a blue school PE polo shirt. Tracksuits are fine in colder weather. Trainers or plimsoles should be black or a dark colour to reflect the PE ‘uniform’.
Children are permitted to wear small stud earrings; however, we ask that these are removed at home on PE days for safety.
Food and drink:
We welcome children bringing in their own drinks bottle each day so we can encourage drinking throughout the day. Juice can only we drank at lunchtimes but water bottles will be kept in the classroom throughout the day so the children have free access. We do provide cups for water if the children wish/haven’t bought a bottle to school. Fruit is also provided for your child at snack time but if your child prefers to bring their own, then please ensure that it is healthy. Examples being fruit, vegetables, and low sugar cereal bars. Ensure children’s snacks and drinks bottles are labelled with their name.
Please order school dinners online. See the office if you are unsure how to do this.
Homework:
Project homework: Homework linked to our next topic will be given just before each half term break to complete over the school holidays.
Letter formation booklets: Booklets to support children’s letter formation will also be given at the end of each half term for them to practice at home. If you require more, please let me know.
High frequency words: Your child will be sent home with a set of high frequency words flashcards. There are 100 HFW which a child is expected to learn by the end of Reception class. These are words that they will come across a lot in their reading and use a lot in their writing, so it is to their benefit that they learn them by sight, which means not the sound out or blend a loud. Your child will bring home five words to learn with you at a time. As they learn them we will send the next set home. Please make sure that they have the words in their book bag everyday so that we can assess them during the week to see if they can move to the next set.
Reading book: We follow the Little Wandle phonics scheme so your child will be bringing home ‘big cat’ reading books. These books will be changed every Monday and you will keep them for the whole week to support your child become fluent within their reading. Please make sure your child reads as much as possible at home to support their reading progression and record when they have read in their reading record. They will receive a readying challenge sticker each time they read at home so that they can be in for a chance of winning a book at the end of term if they get the most stickers. You can find more information regarding our phonics scheme, Little Wandle, attached below.
You will also receive a ‘reading for pleasure’ book, which your child chooses and as these are not linked to your child’s reading level, they may not be able to read them by themselves and so is purely for them to enjoy by either looking at independently or you read to them. These will be changed fortnightly but we recommend putting them in your child’s book bag every day so that they do not miss the opportunity to change their book.
PLEASE ENSURE BOOK BAGS ARE LABELLED.
Please keep checking our class page for information on the projects, and photos on what fun and exciting things the children have been up to whilst learning. Please also sign up to Tapestry for more detailed, weekly updates and photos of what your child has been up to at school. You can also add photos of what the children have been doing at home for us to look at in school. If you need any help with making a Tapestry account, please let me know – I am more than happy to help.
If you would like any more information or have any queries/concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me using the contact form below. I am also at the gate each morning and afternoon but it can sometimes be tricky to talk during busy times so we may need to arrange a more suitable time if the matter needs a more in-depth conversation.
I look forward to a very enjoyable year getting to know you and working with you and your child.
Many thanks,
Miss Poxon
Reception Class Teacher.